Near Crestline Trail (#109)
The Crestline Trail runs through mostly open stands of either young lodgepole pines or dead lodgepole stands.
Near Crestline Trail (#109)
The climb after Box Creek is about 1,000 feet.
Near Crestline Trail (#109)
Blackwell Lake.
Near Crestline Trail (#109)
Enjoy numerous meadows along the Crestline Trail.
Near Crestline Trail (#109)
Payette Lake glimmers brightly in the distance from this view along the Crestline Trail.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Crestline Trail (#109)

3.8 (4 Ratings)
Hike through the big, open country of the Salmon River Mountains.
14.9
mi
Distance
2,875
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Fall ColorsLakeRiver/CreekSwimmingViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
14.86mi
Distance
2,875ft
Elevation Gain
4,516ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
7,859ft
High Point
5,562ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The trail can be taken either direction, but north to south generally trends downhill except for the big climb starting at about mile 6. To start from the north, park at the Pearl Lake trailhead off of Warren Wagon Road. After you turn off WW road, forest road #432 is a rough road with large stones as the road base - drive slow.Because this area burned in '94, the dead trees are really starting to come down now. In 2016, the trail was cleared by the Idaho State Trail Rangers, but a heavy winter snowfall and some wind will bring down more trees. Be prepared to climb over, step over, or crawl under some dead lodgepole pines. Because this trail is open to motorcycles, it tends to get cleared out by the motorcycle riders as the summer goes along.There are a couple of short spur trails that will take you to Pearl Lake, Brush Lake, and Box Lake. Those may not be cut out by motorcycle riders.Other than the downed trees, the Crestline Trail is pretty manageable. Except for the climb that starts after Box Creek. It's about a 1,000 feet in almost 2 miles. There are great views from the top (7,890').After the big climb, the trail begins to descend nicely to Blackwell Lake. The Crestline Trail (#109) ends about 1.6 miles after Blackwell Lake. Pick up the Falls Saddle Trail (#108) and go right to the southern trailhead.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Keith Lannom